The little 17HMR is nice around the cows as it does not ricochet at all (even the venerable little 22 can ricochet some and it might not kill 'em but my investors don't like it when their foremen tell 'em they've got "strange little bumps" or an eye out on their stock!
They (17's) just cost too damn much and are really questionble for anything bigger than a squirrel IMHO!
Really accurate though. Instant death for blackbirds and I'll tell ya those things (blackbirds) are worse than coyotes on the newborne calves! (they peck out their eyes, tongues, pads in their hooves, etc.)
I hate 'em!
(and CA protects them -- Ravens too!)